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Cranes
1926.753 Hoisting and rigging Rigging and hoisting of steel members and materials are essential parts of the steel erection process. However, in addition to the dangers usually associated with cranes and derricks, steel erection also presents specialized hazards, such as the use of cranes to hoist employees, suspend loads over certain employees, and perform multiple lifts. Because of the specialized nature of these hazards, the provisions below are intended to supplement, rather than displace, the requirements of 1926.550, the OSHA standard covering cranes and derricks in general construction. General Inspection Working under loads Multiple lift rigging Hoisting equipment
General |
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In addition to paragraphs 1926.753(c) through 1926.753(e), all the provisions of 1926.550 apply to hoisting and rigging with the exception of 1926.550(g)(2), [1926.753(a)], and [1926.753(b)]. The crane operators must be responsible for operations under their direct control. Whenever there is any doubt as to safety, the operator must have the authority to: stop all hoisting activities, and refuse to handle loads until safety has been assured. [1926.753(c)(1)(iv)] Cranes or derricks may be used to hoist employees on a personnel platform when steel erection is being conducted, provided that all provisions of 1926.550 (except for 1926.550(g)(2)) are met. [1926.753(c)(4)] The headache ball, hook or load must not be used to transport personnel except as provided in paragraph [1926.753(c)(4)] of this section. [1926.753(c)(3)] Safety latches on hooks must not be deactivated or made inoperable except: [1926.753(c)(5)] when a qualified rigger has determined that the hoisting and placing of purlins and single joists can be performed more safely by doing so; [1926.753(c)(5)(i)] or when equivalent protection is provided in a site-specific erection plan. [1926.753(c)(5)(ii)]
Inspection |
- - Before each shift, cranes being used in steel erection activities must be visually inspected by a competent person. The inspection must include observation for deficiencies during operation, including, at a minimum [1926.753(c)(1)(i)]:
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- all control mechanisms for maladjustments [1926.753(c)(1)(i)(A)]; control and drive mechanism for excessive wear of components and contamination by [1926.753(c)(1)(i)(B)]: lubricants, water, or other foreign matter. safety devices, including but not limited to: boom-angle indicators, boom stops, boom kick-out devices, anti-two block devices, and load moment indicators where required [1926.753(c)(1)(i)(C)]; air, hydraulic, and other pressurized lines, especially those that flex during operation, for: deterioration, or leakage [1926.753(c)(1)(i)(D)]; hooks and latches for deformation, chemical damage, cracks, or wear [1926.753(c)(1)(i)(E)]; wire rope reeving for compliance with hoisting equipment manufacturer's specifications [1926.753(c)(1)(i)(F)]; electrical apparatus for: malfunctioning, signs of excessive deterioration, dirt, or moisture accumulation [1926.753(c)(1)(i)(G)]; hydraulic system for proper fluid level [1926.753(c)(1)(i)(H)]; tires for proper inflation and condition [1926.753(c)(1)(i)(I)];
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ground conditions around the hoisting equipment for: proper support, including ground settling under and around outriggers, ground water accumulation, or similar conditions [1926.753(c)(1)(i)(J)]; the hoisting equipment for level position [1926.753(c)(1)(i)(K)]; and the hoisting equipment for level position after each move and setup [1926.753(c)(1)(i)(L)]. If any deficiency is identified, an immediate determination must be made by the competent person as to whether the deficiency constitutes a hazard [1926.753(c)(1)(ii)]. If the deficiency is determined to constitute a hazard, the hoisting equipment must be removed from service, until the deficiency has been corrected [1926.753(c)(1)(iii)]. A qualified rigger (a rigger who is also a qualified person) must inspect the rigging prior to each shift in accordance with 1926.251 [1926.753(c)(2)].
Working under loads |
Routes for suspended loads must be preplanned to ensure that no employee is required to work directly below a suspended load, except for [1926.753(d)(1)]: employees engaged in the initial connection of the steel [1926.753(d)(1)(i)], or employees necessary for the hooking or unhooking of the load [1926.753(d)(1)(ii)]. When employees work under suspended loads, the following criteria must be met [1926.753(d)(2)]: Materials being hoisted must be rigged to prevent unintentional displacement [1926.753(d)(2)(i)]; Hooks with self-closing safety latches or their equivalent must be used to prevent components from slipping out of the hook [1926.753(d)(2)(ii)]; and All loads must be rigged by a qualified rigger [1926.753(d)(2)(iii)].
Multiple lift rigging |
- - A multiple lift may be performed only if the following criteria are met [1926.753(e)(1)]: A multiple-lift rigging assembly is used [1926.753(e)(1)(i)];
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A maximum of five members are hoisted per lift [1926.753(e)(1)(ii)]; Only beams and similar structural members are lifted [1926.753(e)(1)(iii)]; All employees engaged in the multiple lift have been trained in these procedures in accordance with 1926.761(c)(1) [1926.753(e)(1)(iv)]; No crane is permitted to be used for a multiple lift where such use is contrary to the manufacturer's specifications and limitations [1926.753(e)(1)(v)]. Multiple-lift rigging assembly capacity, for the total assembly and for each individual attachment point, must: be certified by the manufacturer or a qualified rigger, be based on the manufacturer's specifications, and have a 5-to-1 safety factor for all components [1926.753(e)(2)]. The total load must not exceed: the rated capacity of the hoisting equipment specified in the hoisting equipment load charts [1926.753(e)(3)(i)]; and the rigging capacity specified in the rigging rating chart [1926.753(e)(3)(ii)]. The multiple-lift rigging assembly must be rigged with members: attached at their center of gravity and maintained reasonably level [1926.753(e)(4)(i)], rigged from top down [1926.753(e)(4)(ii)], and rigged at least 7 feet apart [1926.753(e)(4)(iii)]. The members on the multiple-lift rigging assembly must be set in position from the bottom up [1926.753(e)(5)]. Controlled load lowering must be used whenever the load is over the connectors [1926.753(e)(6)].
Hoisting equipment |
Commercially manufactured lifting equipment designed to lift and position a load of known weight to a location at some known elevation and horizontal distance from the equipment’s center of rotation. A "come-a-long" (a mechanical device usually consisting of a chain or cable attached at each end, that is used to facilitate movement of materials through leverage) is not considered "hoisting equipment."
Cranes | Headache Ball | Choker | Multiple Lift Rigging | Multi-Lift Rigging Procedure (MLRP)
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